In order to tighten the security of communications networks, the Cabinet Committee on Security on Wednesday announced the formation of National Security Directive on Telecommunication Sector, PTI reported. It will mandate service providers to purchase equipment from trusted sources.

The directive has been framed from the perspective of national security, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told the media following Cabinet’s meeting.

The government will also make a list of designated sources from where no procurement can be done, PTI reported. It will also declare a list of trusted sources and trusted products for installation in the country’s telecom network.

“The methodology to designate trusted products will be devised by the designated authority, the National Cyber Security Coordinator. Telecom service providers are required to connect new devices that are designated trusted products,” Prasad told the media.

“The list of the trusted source and product will be decided based on approval of a committee headed by the deputy national security advisor,” he added.

The committee, dubbed as the national security committee on telecom, will consist of members from relevant departments, ministries and will also have two members from the industry and independent experts, the Minister told the media.

Regarding the government’s decision to blacklist certain vendors, the Law and Telecom Minister said the directive “does not envisage mandatory replacement of the existing equipment already inducted in the network of TSPs.”

The directive will also not affect annual maintenance contracts or updates to existing equipment already inducted in the network, he added.

The directive has provisions to qualify telecom gears made by domestic players in the trusted category.

“Those that meet the criteria of the Department of Telecommunications” preferential market access (PMA) scheme will be certified as India trusted sources. The National Security Committee on Telecom will take measures to increase use of equipment from such Indian trusted sources,” Prasad said.

The PMA scheme gives weightage to telecom gears developed and manufactured by indigenous companies.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will suitably notify guidelines and ensure monitoring of compliance by telecom service providers of the directive.

“The Department of Telecom will make appropriate modifications in the license conditions for the implementations of the provisions of the directive. The policy will come into operation after 180 days from the date of approval,” Prasad said.